Staying Safe in Mallorca

For those who prefer to watch..

Now that I’ve been living in Mallorca for nearly 9 months, I have seen first hand and on multiple occasions the dangers that come with cycling in a place such as this. 

In addition to witnessing crashes, the aftermath of crashes, as well as endless stories from followers of this channel and on the Mallorca cycling Facebook group.

So, I feel it is my duty to share a bit of knowledge and some safety tips to prevent your trip becoming a disaster, and keep you upright.

descending

So starting us off, is probably the most important section, and that is how to descend safely. I will break this down into a few different areas as people get caught out for many different reasons.

The first thing is to descend with control and at a pace that feels safe. I probably have a bit to answer for in this regard as I do include a lot of descent footage in my videos. While I do not claim to be an expert in the art of going downhill, I have ridden these roads many, many times and have shot a lot of footage during the off-season when roads are a lot quieter.

Putting my excuses and hypocrisy to one side, I would advise everyone visiting the island to cycle to slow down. Trust me, you’re not as good at descending as you think you are. The majority of those cycling over here will be  unfamiliar with these roads, their corners and their quirks, so remember to take it easy.

Fortunately, it would seem the majority of crashes come from those inexperienced in riding hairpins. And that’s fair enough, I crashed when I rode the 312 in 2022 having taken a hairpin too fast and without proper technique. Luckily for me and many of those who come a cropper in this way, due to the nature of the manoeuvre this type of crash often takes place at lower speed, which although can put your trip, bike and collarbone at risk, it is unlikely to be fatal.

My advice is to watch a YouTube video on how to descend hairpins and take the advice onboard, not as a lesson in how to get down Sa Calobra as quickly as possible, but how to get down in one piece.

Other things to consider when descending, and probably the danger that will cause you the most, and potentially, permanent harm, is the combination of too much speed and an unanticipated road hazard: be it a car, a rock, a bus, a goat or the edge of a cliff.

The roads here are long, winding and populated with many different types of road users. And being unprepared for any of these can be a recipe for disaster. Just as you may be unfamiliar with winding mountain terrain, so too can be the thousands of tourists driving in rental cars. It can be tempting for them, when faced with a long string of cyclists to make an unsafe overtake, jumping at an opportunity to pass without giving consideration to what may be round the corner. Which might be you.

So with that in mind, I would always advise visitors to approach each corner prepared for the unexpected. Taking a line that may not be necessarily the quickest racing line, but that which gives you the best view down road and keeps you on your side of the white line at all times. So no cutting corners under any circumstances. Never commit to the apex until you can see the exit!

So that you are best prepared for each corner, I would always advise to have the map page of your bike computer displayed, that way you can understand the curve of the road before you get there and ensure you avoid carrying too much speed.

Another thing to consider is the brakes you have on your bike. If you are visiting from the UK and have rented a bike you may have to adapt to European brakes. That means front brake on the left, rear brake on the right. Although that can sound intimidating to get used to, your brain will quickly adapt to the change, and you’re unlikely to have any issues. Especially if you avoid putting yourself into scenarios that require emergency stops.

respect and understand the weather

It is common for visitors from the UK to see how the locals dress - often wearing full winter gear on a seemingly balmy wind day - and while, I think maybe they do sometimes take it too far, a UK mindset when it comes to outfit selection can often go awry.

The weather over here can be much more changeable than the UK, especially when you’re cycling in the mountains. The risks will vary according to the season with the winter seeing low temperatures - even as low as freezing conditions in the mornings and at elevation. And just because it says on your weather app that it’s 20 degree in Alcudia at sea level, by the time you’re at the top of Puig major it can be 10 degrees or more cooler. 

Similarly, areas of cloud and rain can linger longer in the mountains and damp weather can be much more common in the areas surrounding the Tramuntana. So it is essential to bring a variety of clothes can be packed away, and always err on the side of caution. It’s common to see cyclists shivering in short sleeves, which can be difficult even when they’ve not been caught out in the rain too.

My advice is to bring arm warmers and a gilet as an extra precaution. Being able to change clothes as quickly as the weather can go a long way to keeping you comfortable and safe.

As we move towards the summer months you will also need to take stock of the weather, and keep an eye on the temperature. It is not uncommon in the summer months to have temperatures exceed 40 degrees, and you will see few cyclists out during peak sun hours. If you are visiting during July or August, seriously consider heading out first thing or late in the evening.

Dressing for these conditions is also important - consider wearing a cycling cap under your helmet, this can help prevent heat stroke and is especially important to those with less hair or if your helmet has large vents.

Sun cream is also vital whatever time of year - especially on your face and neck. A minimum of a factor 50 should be used at all times and remember to reapply throughout the day.

Another option is to wear a lightweight long sleeve jersey and give yourself the extra protection.

Other things to consider with bad weather is the impact it can have on cycling conditions. As I understand it, the roads here are designed to withstand the higher temperatures present most of the year round. But this hardiness comes with a trade off that can make it slippery in wet or cool conditions. So the utmost care is vital during rain, especially on roundabouts or on descents. 

Nowhere is this more evident than on Sa Calobra. The descent down to the port is notorious for the number of victims its hairpins take - including on this channel. So if you are visiting early in the morning or after rain it is vital that you descend slowly. Corners that look innocuous can be icy slick and catch out even experienced cyclists. Fortunately, the road is due to be resurfaced this Autumn, so hopefully things will improve in the future. 

Finally, you should be aware of the windy conditions that Mallorca often encounters. Because it’s an island, the wind is able to pick up a lot of speed over the sea and can buffet visitors with strong gusts. Some areas are worse than others, particularly the lighthouse, so my advice would be to leave deep section rims at home and to check the wind speed and direction before planning your rides.

eating and drinking enough

Make sure you take enough food and drink to last the duration of your ride and/or until your scheduled pitstops.

The shocking true story of a man who didn’t eat or drink enough

Although you may be used to the nutrition necessary for your typical riding conditions, a 100km ride in the UK might look very different in the mountains. So plan accordingly. You may also find yourself in remote areas where petrol stations and cafes are much further apart. Always fill your bottles when you get the chance, especially if you don’t know when your next chance will be.

It is really important not to underestimate any of the rides here - a trip to Sa Calobra from Port de Pollenca can take 5 hours or more, and is extremely hilly. Although this route is relatively well equipped with places to refuel, just remember to do your part and stay on top of your nutrition. Try to eat something as often as every 30 minutes.

In summer months, always take plenty of water and remember to keep topped up with electrolytes. It can be surprisingly easy to get caught out and have a bonk in the middle of nowhere, so be careful!

playing by the rules

My final advice on saying safe is to be considerate to other road users, be they cars, pedestrians, wildlife or other cyclists. During peak months the roads will be busy with all of the above so make sure to be aware of your surroundings, be civil with motorists so as to not cause confrontations.

When riding in a group it’s generally best to ride two abreast but there many be some areas in the mountains where this is not allowed. If you find that you are causing a traffic jam, use common sense and consider pulling over, but do not feel obliged to do so if it isn’t safe. It is the motorists obligation to wait until it is safe to pass so don’t feel pressured to move too far over for a car. Similarly, don’t be afraid to take a central, primary position within your lane so as not to encourage risky overtakes and close passes.

On busier main roads it is actually the cyclist’s obligation to ride in the hard shoulder where it is possible. Generally these are nice and wide and in better condition than you would expect in the UK, but if it is overly gravely or filled with debris you are permitted to move out into the road, and the same goes for when you are descending.

Make sure to bring lights, this is especially important on rides where you’ll be going through tunnels - such as the lighthouse and the top of puig major. It is a legal requirement and although the tunnels are well-lit enough that cars should really see you, there is a risk of being pulled over by the guardia civil and fined. Same goes for wearing headphones while riding, or not carrying a form of ID, both of  which could land you a 200 euro fine. 

So thanks for reading, I hope that has been useful and not too overwhelming. If you are worried about getting caught out by any of the above I’d highly recommend getting some kind of insurance for your visit. The Mallorca Cycle Shuttle even offers breakdown and recovery services which can be taken out as an insurance policy in case of mechanical or medical issue. Make sure to check them out via the affiliate link above.

If there’s anything I missed, please let me know in the comments. Ride safe!